affiliation

noun

af·​fil·​i·​a·​tion ə-ˌfi-lē-ˈā-shən 

plural affiliations

: the state or relation of being closely associated or affiliated with a particular person, group, party, company, etc.

The radio station has maintained a longtime affiliation with the concert hall and often has featured performers as guests on the air.

A former Democrat, Joseph McCarthy had switched his affiliation and was elected in the Republican landslide of 1946 …

—Ted Widmer

… hundreds of businessmen owe their success to an affiliation with organized crime.

—William Bastone

Synonyms of affiliation

• association
• partnership
• relationship
• collaboration
• cooperation
• connection

Examples of affiliation in a Sentence

the Little League team, despite its name, the Northern Dynamites, has no affiliation with the Northern Dynamite Company

Recent Examples on the Web

In the latest case, Thornhill was also cited for mentioning his political affiliation and preferred election candidates during court business. —Heather Hollingsworth, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. —Elizabeth Lanphier, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025

Taj is said to be committed to maintaining its affiliation with The Pierre and its relationship with shareholders. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

Asked about Mark's recent claims, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson shifted the conversation to Democrats who were also seemingly in Jeffrey's orbit, suggesting that their affiliations with Jeffrey deserve attention too. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for affiliation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration